The Hunting Thread...

[Frozen Gator]

In the morning over a field I shoot a frontal rib shot. Any other time or situation mid to high should and certainly want to break a bone or two. Works for an old fart who doesn't need to be tromping around the woods in the dark. My beagle is a big help also, although he's an old fart too.

 

[Fodderwing]

This isn't aimed (pun intended) at anyone here (definitely not you Fodder), but this is my one HUGE issue with a lot (probably MOST) "hunters"... they aren't nearly the shooter they think they are. They really don't understand zeroing their rifle, let alone doping, and I use doping VERY loosely (more like "Kentucky Windage" based on your known zero) because what I'm really talking about is guys that typically hunt at 100 yards or less and don't understand the ballistics of their rifle, ammunition, or themselves.

This may sound judgmental, but I just flat out do not understand people that have to track a hit deer more then 10 yards (yes, 10 yards, maybe 20 tops). To me, it means you took a shot you were not capable of making accurately, whether that was an 80 yard shot or a 300+ yard shot. If you cannot put a round in say a 6 inch circle at 300 yards (and let's say 2-3" circle at 100) and that's being generous on my part), you should not take the shot, period, you're just being selfish, and potentially very cruel if you have a runner you never find (or do find after coyotes finish with it).

Down here, almost all hunting is on plots in the woods. I zero rifles for a lot of people before deer season (which tells me they shouldn't be hunting) and I always ask them at what range they want their POI to be the same as their POA... they just kind of look at me dumb. It's dumb to zero a guy's rifle at 100 yards if his "go to" plot is only 85 yards.

I almost can't fathom hearing stories of someone who has "hunted" a lot missing at 100 yards or less, and it seems to be a lot of people.

As for people that wound a deer and then can't find it, I just want to beat them senseless.

OK, I'm good now...

Shooting a live deer is a lot different from shooting a target that is secured and cannot move. A deer can twitch or whatever and the shot may not end up where the hunter envisioned.

But the old addage of aim small miss small will always ring true.

Shooting at deer with the hound dogs running them is a whole different ball game from stand hunting.

My ladder stand has three shooting lanes in a crow foot pattern in front. The deer in my picture was actually shot twice, he bolted after the first shot. I cycled my M77 and lined up to take a second shot as the deer crossed the last shooting lane in the direction he was running, I squeezed off a shot when the scope was full of deer. I heard the deer get tangled up in briars and such when he expired. The first shot was about an inch or so left of perfect, but took out the left shoulder. The second shot passed through his ribs 2-3 inches behind the left shoulder.

Shoot until they stop moving or until you can't see them anymore.

 

[Back Alley Gator]

Regarding sighting in of a rifle, I agree with you, deet, that the hunter should be the one doing that. I shoot 150gn Hornady SSTs out of my 300 win mag. It's dialed in at 100 yds. Is around an inch or so high at 50 and an inch or so low at 150.

At those ranges the POI is pretty much the same. Especially considering that you're not clamped into a lead sled at the range. Out past 200 I have to pay attention. 3 inches low at 200 and 9 inches low at 300.

I've hand loaded two separate rounds in that caliber and can get slightly higher velocity but no better accuracy. And since buying components is all but impossible right now, I gave up getting sub MOA groups.

As for the deer running... Well that's usually a choice for me. If conditions are right for tracking (no rain, no private property within 300 yds) I'll sometimes shoot the lungs about 4" behind the shoulder so I can save shoulder meat at expense of ribs. Deer will run 50 to 60 yds leaving a spraying mess of a blood trail.

The farther away, the closer I try to get to the high shoulder and the nerve cluster behind it.

 

[Frozen Gator]

I lost a deer one time, made a nice shoot on him I thought. He jumped and turned into the woods. I found blood and the land went down to Yellow Creek. I searched meticulously all the way down to the creek. I expanded my search, no deer. Went back a few hours later again no deer. I found him in the spring turkey hunting. It turns out when the deer entered the woods he made a U turn and ran uphill then died not very far at all from where he was shot ( the shot was good). I've never had that happen before and it still makes sick. I have his horns but it's not the same.

 

[Fodderwing]

I lost a deer one time, made a nice shoot on him I thought. He jumped and turned into the woods. I found blood and the land went down to Yellow Creek. I searched meticulously all the way down to the creek. I expanded my search, no deer. Went back a few hours later again no deer. I found him in the spring turkey hunting. It turns out when the deer entered the woods he made a U turn and ran uphill then died not very far at all from where he was shot ( the shot was good). I've never had that happen before and it still makes sick. I have his horns but it's not the same.

A lot of times, a deer will try to turn and go back in the direction they originally came from. If you don't have a blood trail, always remember that deer will often "circle back".

 

[Frozen Gator]

A lot of times, a deer will try to turn and go back in the direction they originally came from. If you don't have a blood trail, always remember that deer will often "circle back".

It was a tough lesson learned.Most deer in this area go downhill to the creek but this guy went up hill with a fair grade to it. Thinking back on it I didn't go in with an open mind, I knew the area too well. That bit of over confidence cost me a fine deer.

 

[Fodderwing]

It was a tough lesson learned.Most deer in this area go downhill to the creek but this guy went up hill with a fair grade to it. Thinking back on it I didn't go in with an open mind, I knew the area too well. That bit of over confidence cost me a fine deer.

There are very few hard and fast rules and you have to follow the sign left.

But if all else fails, start making circles and widening a little each lap.

 

[Detroitgator]

Shooting a live deer is a lot different from shooting a target that is secured and cannot move. A deer can twitch or whatever and the shot may not end up where the hunter envisioned.

But the old addage of aim small miss small will always ring true.

Shooting at deer with the hound dogs running them is a whole different ball game from stand hunting.

My ladder stand has three shooting lanes in a crow foot pattern in front. The deer in my picture was actually shot twice, he bolted after the first shot. I cycled my M77 and lined up to take a second shot as the deer crossed the last shooting lane in the direction he was running, I squeezed off a shot when the scope was full of deer. I heard the deer get tangled up in briars and such when he expired. The first shot was about an inch or so left of perfect, but took out the left shoulder. The second shot passed through his ribs 2-3 inches behind the left shoulder.

Shoot until they stop moving or until you can't see them anymore.

Yeah, don't get me going on low experience people taking snap shots!!!

 

[Spearo Gator]

This isn't aimed (pun intended) at anyone here (definitely not you Fodder), but this is my one HUGE issue with a lot (probably MOST) "hunters"... they aren't nearly the shooter they think they are. They really don't understand zeroing their rifle, let alone doping, and I use doping VERY loosely (more like "Kentucky Windage" based on your known zero) because what I'm really talking about is guys that typically hunt at 100 yards or less and don't understand the ballistics of their rifle, ammunition, or themselves.

This may sound judgmental, but I just flat out do not understand people that have to track a hit deer more then 10 yards (yes, 10 yards, maybe 20 tops). To me, it means you took a shot you were not capable of making accurately, whether that was an 80 yard shot or a 300+ yard shot. If you cannot put a round in say a 6 inch circle at 300 yards (and let's say 2-3" circle at 100) and that's being generous on my part), you should not take the shot, period, you're just being selfish, and potentially very cruel if you have a runner you never find (or do find after coyotes finish with it).

Down here, almost all hunting is on plots in the woods. I zero rifles for a lot of people before deer season (which tells me they shouldn't be hunting) and I always ask them at what range they want their POI to be the same as their POA... they just kind of look at me dumb. It's dumb to zero a guy's rifle at 100 yards if his "go to" plot is only 85 yards.

I almost can't fathom hearing stories of someone who has "hunted" a lot missing at 100 yards or less, and it seems to be a lot of people.

As for people that wound a deer and then can't find it, I just want to beat them senseless.

OK, I'm good now...

PS I only hunt with 2 rifles down here, and for 15 years, I only use the same ammunition brand/load in those two rifles, never any other brand/load... know your rifle, know your ammunition, know yourself, zero properly, train a lot... never had a runner, or a stomach blowout because I hit low... If you can't kill it with that shot, don't take it.

I agree!! And I’m one who wavers on my shot. I start shaking so bad because I’m excited DG. I can hit a gnat on a dogs ass at 100yrds. Let a deer walk out…I’m shaking like a dog ****’n peach seeds. I could never neck shoot. Not at this point. I’ve shot 7 deer so far in my life. I’m shooting a big cal, 7mm. All have hit the dirt quickly, behind the shoulder. Im only shootin the 7m because it was passed down to me. I know it’s heavy for deer but with my unsteadiness I want to put em down quick, even if bad shot.
I know that probably sounds terrible but it’s reality.

 

[Bait'n Gator]

Same same. Probably because getting an elk tag is a big deal, they’ve just applied it to deer.

When we used to hunt out west they scored white tail the same way we do down south and up north. But mule deer are different, if it's an 8 point with 4 on each side they call it a 4×4. That's also the same way they score mule deer in the mid west.

 

[NVGator]

When we used to hunt out west they scored white tail the same way we do down south and up north. But mule deer are different, if it's an 8 point with 4 on each side they call it a 4×4. That's also the same way they score mule deer in the mid west.

I’m not a hunter but all my buddies who are simply refer to one side, that’s all. All of my family who lives in Florida & Georgia refer to both sides. I just fine it interesting.

 

[Back Alley Gator]

I agree!! And I’m one who wavers on my shot. I start shaking so bad because I’m excited DG. I can hit a gnat on a dogs ass at 100yrds. Let a deer walk out…I’m shaking like a dog ****’n peach seeds. I could never neck shoot. Not at this point. I’ve shot 7 deer so far in my life. I’m shooting a big cal, 7mm. All have hit the dirt quickly, behind the shoulder. Im only shootin the 7m because it was passed down to me. I know it’s heavy for deer but with my unsteadiness I want to put em down quick, even if bad shot.
I know that probably sounds terrible but it’s reality.

Nothing wrong with a 7mm for deer. It will reach out there with a flatter trajectory than my 300 or my 270. Just put the bead on em and let the big dog eat.

One day Im going to get my dad's 338 win mag fixed up and shoot a button buck with it....just kidding. :)

 

[Detroitgator]

I agree!! And I’m one who wavers on my shot. I start shaking so bad because I’m excited DG. I can hit a gnat on a dogs ass at 100yrds. Let a deer walk out…I’m shaking like a dog ****’n peach seeds. I could never neck shoot. Not at this point. I’ve shot 7 deer so far in my life. I’m shooting a big cal, 7mm. All have hit the dirt quickly, behind the shoulder. Im only shootin the 7m because it was passed down to me. I know it’s heavy for deer but with my unsteadiness I want to put em down quick, even if bad shot.
I know that probably sounds terrible but it’s reality.

No judgement here, if it ensures a clean kill, better safe than sorry!

 

[Fodderwing]

My favorite for totin' and pointability while sittin' in a blind is my little CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 mm, but we have some shooting lanes pushing 400 yards. And the ground we lease is farmed, corn, cotton and peanuts, so the opportunity for 250+ yard shots certainly exists. I installed a Timney trigger in my 7mm mag this past summer so I would be better prepared for those opportunities.

I have my father's Colt Sauer 300 Weatherby mag, but I have not used it for deer. The 300 WbyM kills on both ends.

 

[AuggieDosta]

I’m not a hunter but all my buddies who are simply refer to one side, that’s all. All of my family who lives in Florida & Georgia refer to both sides. I just fine it interesting.

How much usually? And let's say it's a $10 dollar fine, do you just tell em, "give me 5"?

 

[Fodderwing]

I’m not a hunter but all my buddies who are simply refer to one side, that’s all. All of my family who lives in Florida & Georgia refer to both sides. I just fine it interesting.

Somebody's grandaddy counted both sides of the rack east of the M'ssippi.

Then Lewis & Clark poled a pirogue up the Missouri bayou and discovered that Chief Nock-a-ho-up only counted one side and the rest is bickering history.

 

[Fodderwing]

Better than a football game any day of the week.

 

[Back Alley Gator]

Better than a football game any day of the week.

Oh hell yea! That's a nice 10 ptr! Big ole swollen neck...that's a dandy. Depending on how you carve him up, I'd estimate about 80-85 lbs of meat once all processed. Maybe even more if you pull the ribs!

 

[Frozen Gator]

Better than a football game any day of the week.

Really, Really, Really nice Buck!

 

[Gulfstream]

Better than a football game any day of the week.

Damn fine buck FW!